HIV self-screening distribution preferences and experiences among men who have sex with men in Mpumalanga Province: Informing policy for South Africa
| Autor: | Tim Lane, Emily Agnew, Sheri A. Lippman, O Radebe, Hailey J. Gilmore, Albert Manyuchi, James McIntyre |
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| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
Male
lcsh:Medicine HIV Infections 030312 virology Medical and Health Sciences Health Services Accessibility Men who have sex with men South Africa 0302 clinical medicine Mass Screening 030212 general & internal medicine Homosexuality media_common 0303 health sciences education.field_of_study lcsh:R5-920 Health Policy Patient Preference General Medicine Health Services 3. Good health Test (assessment) Infectious Diseases Reagent Kits lcsh:Medicine (General) Infection Adult medicine.medical_specialty Higher education Adolescent media_common.quotation_subject Population Pharmacy Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM/LGBT*) Article 03 medical and health sciences Young Adult Diagnostic Self Evaluation Clinical Research General & Internal Medicine Behavioral and Social Science medicine Humans Diagnostic Homosexuality Male education Health policy business.industry Prevention lcsh:R Health Surveys Quality Education Cardiovascular System & Hematology Family medicine Observational study Reagent Kits Diagnostic Self Report business Follow-Up Studies |
| Zdroj: | South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde, vol 109, iss 4 South African Medical Journal, Vol 109, Iss 4, Pp 227-231 (2019) SAMJ: South African Medical Journal, Volume: 109, Issue: 4, Pages: 227-231, Published: APR 2019 |
| Popis: | Current research suggests that HIV self-screening (HIVSS) is a feasible and acceptable approach to increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, few data are available to shape policy around dissemination and implementation. Gaps in knowledge include preferences for distribution of HIVSS kits, potential social harms and benefits of their use, and how much test users would be willing to pay for the kits. The aim was to inform policy recommendations to optimise distribution of HIVSS kits to MSM in South Africa (SA), where there is a high HIV incidence and unmet testing needs. MSM in the high-HIV-prevalence Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni districts of Mpumalanga Province, SA, were enrolled between October 2015 and May 2017. Participants were provided with their choice of blood or oral fluid HIVSS test kits, receiving 5 kits at enrolment and 4 additional kits at the 3-month follow-up visit. Questionnaires were administered at enrolment, 3 months and 6 months. We analysed participants’ reported social benefits and harms, and their preferences for kit distribution and pricing. Among 127 MSM screened and enrolled, 114 responded to follow-up questionnaires regarding distribution preferences, 49.3% preferred to acquire HIVSS kits at a community-based organisation (CBO) and 42.7% at a clinic, with 8% preferring a pharmacy. Participants with higher education preferred CBO sites for distribution; in other respects preferences were similar by demographic characteristics. Reported social benefits were common, including knowing one’s status, prevention knowledge gained and improved communication with partners. Despite ubiquitous interest in using the kits, the majority of MSM could not afford to purchase test kits. SA guidelines have integrated HIVSS into HIV and testing policy, but little has been published regarding distribution channels of the kits for MSM and other key populations. There is a partnership between the National Department of Health and CBOs that specialise in key population programming to ensure MSM and other populations with unmet testing needs can access affordable test kits. We observed no social harms, and there were multiple social benefits. Consequently, we recommend immediate free or low-cost distribution of HIVSS kits to MSM through community-based initiatives. Future research should continue to assess optimised linkage to care. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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